Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) – All About Them

The ghost pepper (aka the Bhut Jolokia) is one of the hottest pepper in the world, topping over 1 Million Scoville Heat Units. Learn more about it.

Scoville Heat Units: 855,000 – 1,041,427 SHUCapsicum Chinense

The ghost pepper (aka the Bhut Jolokia) is one of the hottest pepper in the world, topping over 1 Million SHU (Scoville Heat Units).

It was awarded the distinction of the World’s Hottest of All Spices by the Guinness World Records in 2006, topping the Red Savina Habanero, though was eventually toppled several times over. The current record holder for the hottest pepper in the world is the Carolina Reaper.

Ripe peppers measure 2.5 to 3.3 inches long and are usually red, though there are yellow, orange, white, purple or chocolate color varieties. They originate in Northern India and the peppers have been around for generations, though only cultivated in the western world since the turn of the century.

The pepper belongs to the Capsicum chinense family, like the Habanero, Scotch Bonnet and Red Savina.

History of the Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)

The ghost pepper was in the running for the hottest pepper in the world for quite some time – in fact, it actually held the Guinness Book of World Record’s record for the world’s hottest pepper from 2007 until 2010.

The bhut jolokia is a naturally growing pepper that can be found primarily in northeastern India and neighboring Bangladesh.

However, species can also be found in Sri Lanka occasionally. Due to the fact that “bhut” means “ghost” in the Assam language, this pepper is often called the “ghost pepper,” in the Western world. These peppers have dented skin that is very thin and easy to tear.

Why is a Ghost Pepper Called a Ghost Pepper?

The word “bhut” means “ghost”, given from the Bhutias people, possibly because the heat sneaks up on you like a ghost.

How Hot is the Ghost Pepper (aka Bhut Jolokia)?

The Bhut Jolokia (aka Ghost Pepper) measures in at 1,000,000 + Scoville Heat Units. It offers up some intense heat.

Yep, these babies were officially the hottest peppers around, topping the Red Savina Habanero. It was awarded the distinction of World’s Hottest of All Spices by the Guinness World Records in 2006, though was eventually dethroned by a new wave of superhot chili peppers.

Ghost Pepper Vs. Carolina Reaper

You can certainly compare a ghost pepper to a Carolina Reaper as both are intensely hot and both offer up a sweet, fruity flavor. However, as hot as the ghost pepper is, the Carolina Reaper is more than double the ghost pepper when it is as it’s hottest. Ghost peppers top out at 1,041,427 SHU, where the Carolina Reaper reaches 2.2 Million SHU.

Ghost Pepper Taste and Heat

The first flavor you will notice is an intense fruity, sweet chili flavor. The heat does not kick in for 30 – 45 seconds. Once the heat kicks in, expect sweating, watery eyes, hiccups and shortness of breath. The burning generally intensifies over 10 – 15 minutes and subsides after 30 – 40 minutes. I personally enjoy them for their fruitiness and the fact that the peppers don’t sting you with heat like a scorpion pepper (see this superhot – Trinidad Moruga Scorpion). Instead, they offer a wonderful blooming heat that blooms. It is pleasurable if you can stand that level of heat.

Bhut Jolokia / Ghost Pepper Uses

Because of their intense heat, but also because of their fruity flavor, ghost peppers are great for making hot sauces, for dehydrating into powders or chili flakes, or for chopping and cooking into larger meals, like pots of stew or pots of chili. The heat will really bloom in a large pot. A little goes a long way. Use them as you’d use a habanero, but remember that they are much hotter, up to 5 times the heat level. Use caution when cooking with them. Wear gloves and protect your eyes.

Bits of Interest

This hot pepper also has a side use in Indian cooking. In addition to being a common household ingredient in certain parts of India and Bangledesh, it has also been used as a homeopathic remedy for stomach pain, a way to beat the summer heat (when the bhut jolokia is eaten, the partaker will usually start to sweat quite a bit, which will ultimately lead to a decrease in body temperature).

It has even been used as a weapon – locals of northeastern India smear their fences with it to keep elephants away, and the pepper has even been used in smoke bombs.

Can Eating Ghost Peppers Kill You?

Eating extremely hot chili peppers in large enough amounts can harm you. According to Dr. Paul Bosland of the Chile Pepper Institute, if you ate a large amount in a short period of time, it could kill you.

He said, “A research study in 1980 calculated that 3 pounds of extreme chilies in powder form — of something like the bhut jolokia — eaten all at once could kill a 150-pound person,” Bosland, told Live Science. “However, one’s body would react sooner and not allow it to happen.”

I eat them all the time and love them. See my ghost pepper recipes link below.

Growing Ghost Peppers

Growing these peppers can be difficult, as ghost peppers like more humidity and heat. They are native to India and that particular climate, so grow best in those conditions. I’ve been able to grow them in my own home garden in Zone 5 with good success. The peppers grow to a good size and have great heat to them, and the plants are quite productive.

You might consider growing them in a greenhouse where you can control temperature and humidity more directly. Plant them 18-24 inches apart. They prefer warm soil and full sun. The seeds typically germinate around 35 days and mature 100 days after planting.

Also, the fumes from the chili peppers and/or the fine powders may get into the air if you are not working in a well ventilated room, so you may want to wear a mask and goggles. Superhot chili peppers, truly, are called superhots for a reason.

Ghost Pepper Recipes

I love cooking with ghost peppers and have a number of spicy foods recipes to share with you. Here is a list of recipes:

NEVER MISS A RECIPE

1 comments

I am trying to find the bhut jolokia pepper in my local grocery store and it’s hit and miss. I’m looking for the dried pepper. I grind it up and use it in my artisan cheese. Am I able to order direct through you? Thank you.

Reply

WELCOME!

Hi, Everyone! I'm Mike, your chilihead friend who LOVES good food. I love it spicy, and hopefully you do, too. Here you'll find hundreds of spicy recipes of all levels, some with a little, some with a LOT, but everything is adjustable to your personal tastes. You'll also learn a lot about chili peppers and seasonings, my very favorite things.